There was a video tribute from Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks and a live message transmitted from Uri Geller.

Rabbi Dovid Jaffe, of South Manchester Lubavitch, gave an explanation of Chanucah and then Telegraph editor Paul Harris kindled the five candles of a giant menorah while Rabbi Levi Laine recited the berachot.

Telegraph director and co-founder Vivienne Harris described the early years of the paper while her son Paul thanked staff for their efforts, often over and above the call of duty, at the same time warning those who over the years have attempted to damage the Telegraph’s reputation that “our lawyers are watching”.

Guests were entertained throughout the evening by Manchester Klezmer and enjoyed cocktails prepared by Garry Foy, the general manager of Panacea, Manchester, and a colleague.

During the evening guests were able to see on a big screen rolling pictures of the Telegraph’s history and throughout the Radisson’s Scandinavian Ballroom and its reception area there were blow-ups of historic Telegraph front pages.

The Radisson Blu’s general manager Rob Collier revealed that the hotel would be reintroducing its monthly kosher restaurant by March next year.

Rabbi Chaim Kanterovitz and Rabbi Arnold Saunders recited grace before and after meals respectively, while Felice Berman proposed the loyal toast and Geoff Kuhillow, the toast to the president and the State of Israel.